RMIT scholar awarded prestigious Fulbright to combat human trafficking

RMIT scholar awarded prestigious Fulbright to combat human trafficking

RMIT Associate Professor in Criminology and Justice, Brianna Chesser has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award to develop groundbreaking solutions to one of the world’s most pressing human rights crises: commercial sexual exploitation through human trafficking.

Each year, over 1.7 million women and children are trafficked globally for commercial sexual exploitation. Despite Australia and the United States both being destination countries for trafficked persons, there remains a critical gap in understanding how to effectively address this human rights violation. Dr Brianna Chesser’s Fulbright project, based at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, aims to bridge this gap. 

The research will focus on reconceptualising how both nations respond to the harm caused by human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation, examining obligations under Article 9, Section 5 of the Palermo Protocol. This international treaty requires signatory nations to establish measures that discourage demand for exploitation - an area where current responses have fallen short. 

“For too long, policy responses have focused on the supply side of trafficking while the demand side - predominantly men who buy trafficked women and children - remains largely invisible,” Chesser explained. “We need to develop a new understanding of harm that can inform more effective operational frameworks.” 

Dr. Brianna Chesser attends the Fullbright Gala Presentation Dinner at Parliament House with RMIT Vice Chancellor, Professor Alec Cameron and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation, Callum Drummond, and fellow guests. Dr Brianna Chesser attends the Fullbright Gala Presentation Dinner at Parliament House with RMIT Vice Chancellor, Professor Alec Cameron, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation, Calum Drummond, RMIT Professor Aiden Warren and fellow guests.

Chesser will collaborate with Professor Amy Farrell and the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University, a global leader in anti-trafficking scholarship. The partnership will enable her to conduct interviews with key stakeholders including policymakers, legal professionals, survivor advocacy groups, and victim-survivors in Massachusetts, while analysing relevant policies and legislation. 

The project represents a significant opportunity for knowledge exchange between Australia and the United States. Chesser will teach seminars on domestic and international criminal law and human trafficking and will lead a global symposium hosted by Northeastern University.  

Professor Tim Marshall, RMIT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Design and Social Context, praised Chesser’s achievement: “Brianna’s Fulbright Scholar Award recognises her as a leading voice in the global fight against human trafficking. Her innovative approach to reconceptualising harm and developing practical policy frameworks exemplifies RMIT’s commitment to research that creates real-world impact. This collaboration with Northeastern University will not only advance scholarship in this critical area but will forge lasting partnerships that strengthen both Australia’s and the United States’ capacity to protect the most vulnerable members of our global community.” 

Human trafficking generates an estimated US$150 billion annually, with US$99 billion coming from commercial sexual exploitation in wealthy industrialised nations. In Australia, trafficking of women into debt-bonded prostitution accounts for the majority of victims. Yet current penalties often fail to match the severity of these crimes, as demonstrated by Australia’s first successful trafficking prosecution, where the perpetrator received a fully suspended sentence despite making an estimated $1.2 million from each of seven Thai women he trafficked. 

The research findings will be published in leading international journals and shared with the Australian Attorney General, NGOs, and key stakeholders. The ultimate goal is to create an operational framework that better protects survivors while holding perpetrators accountable. 

Dr Brianna Chesser at Parliament House, Canberra. RMIT Associate Professor in Criminology and Justice, Dr Brianna Chesser.

“This Fulbright project represents an opportunity to establish lasting bilateral cooperation on this critical issue,” said Chesser. “By pooling our resources, learnings and understanding, Australia and the United States can lead global responses to combat commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking.” 

Dr Brianna Chesser is an Associate Professor in Criminology and Justice, a clinical forensic psychologist and criminal lawyer. Chesser is also the Program Manager of the Bachelor of Criminology and Psychology Program.  

Learn more about RMIT’s School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS)

27 February 2026

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27 February 2026

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